West NS Regt Watch

The West Nova Scotia Regiment is one of Canada’s oldest military units. It is descended from the 40th Regiment of Foot (Prince of Wales Volunteers) which was raised on 23 August 1717 at Fort Anne, Annapolis Royal. The West Novas perpetuate the 112th and 219th Battalions of Infantry, Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I and was formed as the West Nova Scotia Regiment in 1936.

When World War Two broke out the West Novas were mobilized as an active service force battalion on 1 September 1939 when over 1,600 men tried to enlist! In December of that year the Novas left Halifax for the United Kingdom, arriving in Aldershot, England just after Christmas.

In June 1943, The Regiment sailed from Scotland as an integral part of "Operation Husky"- the invasion of Sicily-storming the beaches on July 10. From that moment onward, the Novas - as proud D-Day Dodgers, were in almost continuous action winning battle honours at Valguarnera, where they dug in and held out despite German demands to surrender, and as the advance in that island continued, at Adrano, Catenanuova and Centripe.

When the Allies crossed the Straits of Messina at 0500 hrs on September 3, A Company of the West Novas landed at "Fox Amber". They become the very first Allied soldiers to invade continental Europe in the Second World War.

Other important battles that the Regiment fought in Italy were Potenza, where it spearheaded a battle group which moved a remarkable 75 miles in 60 hours against an extremely stubborn enemy, the Gully (on the approach to Ortona), the Sangro, Gustaf and Gothic Lines, the breaking of the Hitler Line and San Martino-San Lorenzo. The Regiment continued to fight in Italy until February 9, 1945, when it transferred to Northwest Europe and aggressively complimented the Allies final advance through Holland earning a final battle honour at Apeldoorn. By war’s end, in 19 months of combat, the West Nova Scotia had won 25 battle honours.

Since World War II the Regiment continues to proudly serve Canada and has sent soldiers on UN peace keeping missions in Yugoslavia, Cyprus, and the Middle East and to Afghanistan.

The badge of the West Novas so aptly represented on this watch face reflects the rich history of Nova Scotia traditions. From the cross of St Andrew, to the Bluenose, the Grand Pre chapel in the Annapolis Valley, to the provincial floral emblem, the Mayflower; the West Nova Scotia Regiment represents the best that is Nova Scotia.

The West Nova Scotia Regiment is extremely pleased to partner with one of Canada’s leading watch designers, Time is Ticking Inc., which has a long and honourable history of creating watches which reflect our nation's historic military milestones.

To help show your continued pride in the West Nova Scotia Regiment and its illustrious history, we are very pleased to be able to offer a Limited Edition West Nova Scotia Regiment watch. The cost to you is only $78.00 plus applicable sales tax and postage. The watch is being sold far below its retail value of approximately $200.00.

The slim-line watch has Seiko movements, 24K gold plating on its face, an engraved case back and a designer Speidel leather strap which is being offered in black, red and blue. The watch will be delivered in an embossed velveteen collector’s box. This limited edition commemorative watch will make an excellent gift. All sales are final.